Mussels are good for your body, and the environment
There’s one type of seafood that’s affordable, nutritionally dense and even helps improve the environment: mussels. According to the National Library of Medicine, mussels are a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, and they produce far less greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to other protein sources such as beef, lamb and pork. Plus, they are “filter feeders,” which means they remove impurities in the water around them. What a win-win!
FIRE SAFETY
No one wants to be forced to rebuild their home because a fire destroyed it, so the Sierra Club has some important tips to help you fortify your existing home by taking steps to “fire-harden” it. This involves evaluating the whole home and investing in fireproof materials like metal and tile for the roof; ember- and flame-resistant venting; dual-paned temperedglass windows; and walls made with stucco, fiber cement or treated wood. Even simple acts such as removing dead leaves from gutters can help fire-harden your home.
SLOW DOWN
One of the easiest ways to lower your carbon emissions and also be safe is to simply drive the speed limit. When posted maximum speeds are around 60 mph, driving that speed versus a faster 75 mph is actually 25% more gas-efficient. Faster speeds create more wind resistance, which equals more overall fuel usage. Of course, hybrid cars are even greener, and fully electric cars emit nothing at all, but driving slower means less charging is needed for the car battery over time, too.
GREEN INVESTING
Do you invest in the stock market? You might be wondering if your portfolio is eco-friendly or supports sustainable business practices. The ESG rating (short for environment, social and governance) gives companies and mutual funds a score. The higher the score, the better on the environmental scale; low-scoring companies are considered less involved in ecofriendly practices and social issues. The website spglobal.com is a free resource that gives you any publicly traded company’s ESG score.
DIY WEED KILLER
There is a winner when it comes to making a nontoxic do-ityourself weed killer. It’s easy and requires only three ingredients, so it’s inexpensive to make, too. All you need is 1 gallon of white vinegar (an acid that destroys weeds), 2 cups of Epsom salt (which dries out the roots) and 1/2 cup of liquid dish soap (to help the mixture stick and stay in place). Mix in a spray bottle and spray it on the weeds you want to eradicate naturally from your yard.
SELL OLD DENTURES
Strange but true: Many old dentures contain valuable gold and silver that can be salvaged and recycled to make you some extra money. There are two great ways you can recycle dentures: Ask a reputable jeweler who buys gold to see if they can help retrieve the metal, or try the website crownmen.com, which specializes in turning dental waste into cold, hard cash.
REUSE WRAP
The average American household spends a small fortune each year on special-occasion gift wraps and bows. Save some money and cut down on the use of wasteful, hard-to-recycle paper and bows by using things you already have: Wrap presents in newsprint or flattened colorful paper from shopping bags. Rip open an old VHS tape and use the shiny black tape as ribbon. Up the ante by filling gift boxes with scrap paper run through a paper shredder.